A plan to squeeze extra capacity out of the heavily-congested West Midlands rail network has been broadly welcomed by Centro, the region’s public transport promoter.
The West Midlands Route Utilisation Strategy is published for consultation today (Monday 28 Feb) by the Strategic Rail Authority in an attempt to make better use of existing trains and tracks. The Government agency claims its proposals will be able to reduce overcrowding and improve services for passengers.
Centro, which represents passenger and local interests in the West Midlands, says more trains and a better co-ordinated timetable would be good news – but it criticises the lack of investment identified in the plan.
“This is an important document for the future of rail services in the West Midlands,” comments Centro director general Rob Donald. “There are some critical issues to be tackled to make sure we get the best deal for passengers and the region – so we will be canvassing opinion before we make a full response to the Strategic Rail Authority.”
“Allocating capacity between local rail services and long distance and freight services is also a key issue. Centro will be keen to ensure that local passengers do not suffer unduly because of the competing needs of other rail network users.”
“We have made great strides in increasing rail patronage, to the extent that one in five commuters to central Birmingham now travels by train and this makes a significant contribution to reducing congestion in the West Midlands,” adds the Centro boss. “The SRA document actually makes a very good case for continued investment in the rail network, but the funding for new track and rolling stock has yet to be identified.”
Before making its recommendations, the SRA strategy refers to the fact that passenger growth in the West Midlands has been greater than in other areas of the country. Department for Transport figures even show passenger numbers to be climbing faster than London and the South East.
In the last ten years rail travel in the West Midlands has grown by 44 per cent, compared to a national average of 34 per cent – and this could increase by as much again by 2011.
To accommodate the predicted growth, the SRA proposes taking passenger services away from some poorly used lines and reallocating trains. It also suggests fare increases could be used to discourage passengers from travelling during the height of the morning rush hour.
“We reluctantly accept the wisdom of taking passenger services away from very poorly used lines – but only if it can be shown that any savings are then positively reinvested to the benefit of passengers in the region,” says Cllr Gary Clarke, chairman of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority which sets policy for Centro. “We will oppose any local reduction in service, even on the less well-used lines, if it appears the savings are to be handed to the Treasury and, on balance, the region will then be worse off.”
Cllr Clarke says the PTA will also oppose any attempt to reduce overcrowding by putting up fares.
“Reducing rail congestion by pricing passengers off the train and back into their cars would be a very retrograde step,” he says. “The strategy document acknowledges this would increase road traffic congestion – so it is unacceptable to us and also difficult to see how it squares with Government policy for integrated transport.”
“Government agencies and departments need to look at complete solutions for the congestion that is costing this region more than £2.3bn each year. Simply taking traffic away from one mode of transport and transferring it to another will not provide the answer the West Midlands needs,” he adds. “We need investment to increase total capacity and provide an integrated transport network.”
The West Midlands Route Utilisation Strategy published today is now subject to 12 weeks consultation before it can become Government policy. Centro will consider the detailed implications, which will then be discussed by councillors on the watchdog Passenger Transport Authority before submitting a formal response to the SRA.
